Are Storyboards Really Necessary?

[seunosewa]

I thought i was supposed to write everything I want in my movie into the script. now I'm discovering that after writing the script I'm supposed to create a comic based on the script. A storyboard.

As a low-budget first timer, this process ridiculously redundant to me. Why waste time writing a detailed script if at the end of the day what I'm shooting will be based on a compulsory amateur comic-book?

Why not write the comic-book (sorry, storyboard) straightaway and save time and money, or just shoot mechanically from the script?

[Sola]

Some swear by it. I've never used it. I probably should give it a try hwne I finally do something serious. My production scripts usually have a lot of notes though, with 90% of movements already mapped out from visits to the locations. The storyboard is more for the benefit of the key crew members, so they can get on the same page with a director's head picture. The director already knows it all by heart.

[D-Vince]

Depends on how complex your plot is,or you want it to be.If it is an action thriller kind of story with lots and lots of movement,and you're the meticulous type,then you can't go past storyboarding.
Professional moviemakers can't do without it.But for someone at your level,you probably won't need it,NOW.
But as the stories you tell get more and more complex,with very elaborate movements in scenes and sequences,storyboarding will start getting interesting to you.It is just an option,not a obligation.
The way nollywood make their homvies,with very little movements in scenes,they definitely do not need storyboarding.

[seunosewa]

Thanks, guys. I guess I won't be needing this for my sitcom. Phew!

[pompom]

Originally Posted by seunosewa

Thanks, guys. I guess I won't be needing this for my sitcom. Phew!

Seun, been trying to post a reply but the slow internet has been a deterrent. Since you are shooting for a sitcom which is where the money is now in African television, a storyboard will help you immensly in raising funds and sponsors. I have found the storyboard magical even though I was not a big fan. Non filmmakers seem to get it faster if you do a proper storyboard for maybe 2 episodes. They can get a clearer picture of what you are doing. If you are directing it, it also clarifies a whole lot of stuff for you in terms of shots and presentation. There are some new software out there for storyboarding and it is amazing to see your vision even before you shoot.

[seunosewa]

Hello Pompom. This little tip of yours is such a useful one. Thanks.

Glad to know that you also believe in sitcoms. I wish you could tell us more about the potential for African sitcoms whenever you are chanced.

[pompom]

Originally Posted by seunosewa

Hello Pompom. This little tip of yours is such a useful one. Thanks.

Glad to know that you also believe in sitcoms. I wish you could tell us more about the potential for African sitcoms whenever you are chanced.

I really am not a sitcom person per se but there is no doubt that anything television that is packaged properly is a whole lotta money right now. No wonder some directors have choosen not to work with Idumota. As u know there is a lot of extra money floating around after the bank consolidation. The thing is that you have to know who has the xtra money and how to package to them. Some of these tv reality programs are getting 200 million a pop and that is money in any language.

[grafikdon]

Like Vince said, storyboarding is an option, not an obligation, it is not an 'amateurish comic' either. You either make use of it or you don't. However, in a project that involves lots of action sequence, movement and visual effect shots, you need to give the crew a strong visual interpretation of the shots and camera angles... they can't just point and shoot and it doesn't matter the amount of notes you leave on the script. A clear visual representation of the script will enable the crew to 'get the picture' and get shots 'right' because any terrible blunder at that stage CANNOT BE FIXED in post production...doesn't matter where... HOLLYWOOD, NOLLYWOOD, NKUWOOD...and all other 'woods'.

For Television commercial...while you can still get away with your 'detailed' script, storyboards are your best bet to get a perfect grip of 'TIMING'...it goes a long way. Some use 'em on EVERY PROJECT, no matter how simple or complicated, some use 'em only on very complicated shots or visual effect shots while some do not use them at all.

[seunosewa]

Thanks guys.

[spiro9210]

Originally Posted by seunosewa

I thought i was supposed to write everything I want in my movie into the script. now I'm discovering that after writing the script I'm supposed to create a comic based on the script. A storyboard.

As a low-budget first timer, this process ridiculously redundant to me. Why waste time writing a detailed script if at the end of the day what I'm shooting will be based on a compulsory amateur comic-book?

Why not write the comic-book (sorry, storyboard) straightaway and save time and money, or just shoot mechanically from the script?

Storyboards aren't really necessary if you, the actors, D.P and everyone else are on the same wave length. Although, a storyboard can help a director and editor in post production since a storyboard is pretty much a rough draft of your film. Hollywood has now moved on to Previz. You now have 3d animators creating an entire movie with scratch dialogue and sound before directors even do rehearsals.